the debate(s) is over

Well.

The Republican Presidential candidate tv debates in the USA are over (we hope) … but the debate in general will range over the next several months.

 

So.

That last republican TV debate Wednesday night.

 

Whew … boy oh boy.  We surely better hope that no one in any other country watched the debate.

 

I could care less whether anyone in America saw it because no one really said anything meaningful.

 

But HOW they said things was embarrassing.

 

It seems each is so familiar with each other, their policies, thoughts, type of underwear they buy … that they end up squabbling over minutiae and we seem them nitpicking each other (with some fairly absurd thoughts … all with the inevitable “sound bite to win” objective) and … well … making stuff up.

 

This summarizes probably the most absurd moment (although the entire discussion went on far too long an captured some absurd thinking which challenges even this thought):

 

Rick Santorum actually started one monologue opining as to how there were too many out-of-wedlock pregnancies … because of the availability of birth control. Apparently, having it available turns folks into sex-crazed lunatics … who don’t actually use birth control. I guess they just get it for the packaging.

Anna Marie Cox/Guardian

 

Beyond that?

 

Well.

Each candidate was asked to sum themselves up in one word.

 

Paul: “consistent”

 

Santorum “courage”

 

Romney “resolute”

 

Gingrich “cheerful”

 

Bruce: “whatever”

 

 

I hate politics.

Or maybe I simply hate the trappings of politics.

 

It gets to a point … well … let me use the UK version of why I don’t like it all …

Of course, the paucity of economic discussion at the debate means that its real winner was President Obama. The more Republicans tangle with subjects that you wouldn’t actually want to talk about at the kitchen table (homosexuality, contraception, Satan), the more they lose those voters who are using that kitchen table for paying bills. But this is not to say that a GOP primary discussion about social issues means that they’re ignoring economic issues. Really, most of the candidates’ attitudes toward economic policies grow out of, or are at least in tune with, their attitudes toward family, immigration, and children.

 

On spending, Santorum wants to slash spending on healthcare and social assistance, while promising to “never” cut military funding. Mitt Romney believes in an economy that could most politely be described as “Darwinian” (if you believe in that sort of thing). Ron Paul, admirably consistent, wants people to be left alone to the point of abandonment by their government. And Newt Gingrich wants to go to the moon.

Anna Marie Cox, writer-The Guardian

 

 

And the candidate I would love to … well … love <Ron Paul> … well … he thinks there is a “war on christmas”, denies evolution, thinks global warming is a hoax, wants the United States to reoccupy the Panama Canal zone, wants to get rid of the minimum wage, federal funding for highways and schools, and pull out of the UN.

 

Other countries have their issues but they must think we are all nutcases.

 

And all the politicians must think all the voters are just stupid.

 

I don’t think they have any bad intentions for America but in search of the perfect sound bite to gain an edge they … well … “have subordinated principles to expediency” …

 

The best quote I have seen is this:

Understanding that “politics is the art of the possible” is not an invitation to subordinate principles to expediency, but a reflection of the moral wisdom that the highest principle in government is to make things better.” -Michael Josephson

 

Now.

 

I have no clue who Michael Josephson is but he must be a smart man because this is smartly said.

 

I want our politicians to show us hope … and what is possible.

But for god’s sake can they have some common sense while doing so?

And not make us look stupid to the outside world.

Somewhere out there we Americans have to hope that there is a no nonsense, common sense driven, principle driven candidate who wants to make things better … and can figure out a way of doing so by making the hard choices.

And maybe it isn’t just ‘one’ candidate … but frankly … that is what leading is all about. Being ‘the one’ who can even guide that shipwreck waiting to happen called the US government.

I am not looking for the perfect captain of this ship of fools.

I just want a captain who can get the ship of fools to at least leave the fucking harbor.

That’s it.

Oh.

You know … in my pea like brain … I actually believe I could gather 5 of my smartest friends together and actually lead this country better than the candidates who are out there.

How wacky <and sad> is that?

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Written by Bruce